PM Nawaz appreciates Chinese assistance in defence production

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today appreciated China’s extraordinary assistance to Pakistan in the area of defence production and aerospace, that has helped Pakistan in the construction of a whole range of heavy industries.

Welcoming the Chinese delegation, the Prime Minister said that Pak-China “All weather” relationship is based upon shared principles and interests that form the foundation of cooperation in diverse fields. At the official as well as popular levels, there is strong resonance of the long and rich history of close and cordial ties between the two countries, said the Prime Minister.

While expressing satisfaction over the state of bilateral cooperation in defence production including the Joint Committee on Cooperation in Defence Technology and Industry between Pakistan and State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND) China, the Prime Minister said that this cooperation will be further strengthened by exploring diverse avenues in future. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor is the testimony of the deep-rooted and time tested friendship between the two countries. This project alone has the potential to change the lives of the people of the entire region for which the government and people of Pakistan are immensely grateful to the Chinese leadership and people, stated the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said that the decision for induction of Air Defence System in Pakistan by CPMIEC would be finalised after receipt of complete proposal from the Chinese side. The Prime Minister noted with satisfaction the pace of existing joint collaborative mechanism between Ministry of Defence Production and CPMIEC in other fields of mutual interest.

The Deputy Administrator of CASIC lauded the vision of the Prime Minister for putting the country on development path and turning around the economy. The Chinese side while expressing satisfaction over the pace of work on CPEC projects, said that apart from the huge economic benefits for the people of Pakistan and the region, the Project will bring the people of the two friendly countries even more closer. The Chinese side also expressed keen interest for investment in gas pipelines in different parts of the country, especially Balochistan.

The Chinese delegation included Mr. Zhao Xiaolong, Chairman of CPMIEC, Mr. Wang Jinfeng, Chief Representative of CPMIEC in Pakistan, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Sun Weidong and Maj. General Qi Huajun, Defense Attache. Minister for Defence Productio Rana Tanveer Hussain and other senior officials of the Government were also present during the meeting.